Between April 25 and April 30, 2024, University of Connecticut (UConn) police forcibly arrested 26 protesters, including 25 students, who were participating in a peaceful pro-Palestinian encampment on campus.

On April 25, UConn Students for Justice Palestine (SJP), established an encampment, which they titled the “UCommune,” near Dove Tower on campus. The students demanded that university disclose its financial investments, divest from businesses associated with Israeli military actions, and end what they argue is the repression of pro-Palestinian students. Around 300 students joined the protest.

Shortly after the protest began, the UConn Police Department forcefully entered the encampment, and attempted to break down the tents. When police moved towards the encampment, students formed an arm-link chain around the encampment. Police pushed and grabbed students to break through the chain. One graduate student was arrested for allegedly attempting to push a police officer.

Despite the police removing several tents and giving repeated warnings to disperse, the protesters remained on site and erected new tents over the next several days. The encampment was peaceful, with students sharing food, playing music, creating posters, and participating in yoga sessions.

On April 26, a university official released a statement that referenced UConn’s university policies prohibiting outdoor gatherings, such as the encampment.The statement stated that any violation of the policies would result in the University taking “appropriate action” to address it. University officials again warned the protestors that they would be arrested if they refused to remove the encampment.

On April 30, police instructed protesters several times to remove the tents and disperse or risk arrest. Early in the morning, after the students refused to disperse, UConn police began clearing the encampment. The police arrested 25 people, including 24 students and one former student, for criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct. All of the arrested students were released later that day.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the arrests of apparently peaceful student protesters by police. While university authorities have an obligation to take all reasonable measures to ensure the safety of students and university personnel and should endeavor to prevent disruptions that inappropriately inhibit the functioning of or access to higher education, they must do so consistent with their responsibility to ensure academic freedom and free expression on campus. The punishment of nonviolent student expression undermines academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://ctmirror.org/2024/04/30/uconn-gaza-protests/
https://www.courant.com/2024/04/30/uconn-cracks-down-on-student-protest-more-arrested/
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/police-respond-to-pro-palestinian-protest-at-yale-university/3278589/
https://www.fox61.com/video/news/education/520-47eb55c2-c9c4-4f56-a427-8d62c897b527
https://today.uconn.edu/2024/04/large-outdoor-gatherings-policies-and-practices/
https://today.uconn.edu/2024/05/message-regarding-storrs-campus-protest/
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/police-respond-to-pro-palestinian-protest-at-yale-university/3278589/
https://dailycampus.com/2024/05/01/24-students-1-former-student-arrested-after-six-day-uconn-encampment/
https://ctmirror.org/2024/05/22/uconn-student-activist-protests/